I wake up and look at my phone. I looked at it right before I went to bed, but I need to make sure nothing really important has happened in the past 6-8 hours I have been asleep. I'm admitting it. I am addicted to social media. I love it. It's almost like stalking someone, but they are willingly letting you do it. However, social media is somewhat bittersweet. I do get to see all my friends' life experiences even friends I haven't seen in years. I see smiling babies and cute children dressed up in their Halloween costumes. I get to see Christmas parties, engagement rings, and awesome vacations, all the happy moments in life. It makes me happy to see all my Facebook "friends" happy. However, then you get to see all the things you really don't care to see. Comments regarding social issues that are really just ridiculous. People making vague status updates that are obviously self-serving. And God forbid it is election time.... Sometimes I think I would be better off without Facebook. Sometimes when I log off I feel depressed. Wow, I won't ever get to go on a vacation like that; I won't ever make that much money. She got engaged?! I thought for sure I would get married before her. She is pregnant with her third child?! I don't even have one kid and I am 31 years old. He is dating her now?! Really?! Then I convince myself I will live an old maid spinster life.
The thing about it is, my life is pretty friggin' awesome, but the comparison factor is stealing my joy. My boyfriend does not have a Facebook account. We were discussing one of his ex-girlfriends and he had absolutely no idea what she was doing now. This concept in modern day social media is unheard of, but I was actually jealous. How awesome would that be to actually close a chapter in you life (e.g., a job, friendship, relationship, etc.) without social media constantly reminding you of your past. After questioning him why he does not have an account his response was "If I wanted to talk to someone I would call them. If I wanted to see someone I would." The wheels started to turn. Let's be honest most of my Facebook "friends" really aren't my friends. I decided to deactivate my Facebook account for as long as I can in 2014. I am not going to compare my life to someone else's happy moments; I am just going to BE HAPPY. Secondly, and most importantly, this should free up lots of time, since I look at Facebook entirely too much. I think I can do it, particularly since this is not a permanent decision AND I am not deleting my Instagram account. :) So one more day of Facebook, before I click the deactivate button. I am going to savor it! I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and good luck with all those resolutions!
